Former Uber driver charged with reckless homicide after Northwest Side crash

A former Uber driver was charged with reckless homicide related to a multi-vehicle crash on the Northwest Side in June that killed a married father and injured his wife.

A Cook County judge on Saturday ordered Richard Massenburg held on $250,000 bail at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building on a count of reckless homicide and numerous traffic citations in the June 11 crash in the Belmont-Cragin community.

Prosecutors said Massenburg had marijuana in his bloodstream and was driving his 2015 Nissan Altima 81 mph when he sped through a red light at Diversey and Cicero avenues and struck the first of several cars in the intersection about 9:50 a.m.

The first collision killed Javier Castrejon, 38, and injured his 42-year-old wife, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Kathryn Roy. The crash sent Castrejon’s car into the car ahead of them, injuring a 28-year-old woman. Despite the collisions, Massenburg continued north on Cicero until he struck another car stopped at the red light.

Castrejon was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from massive trauma to his head and torso, authorities said. The graduate of Schurz High School and father of two was a sales clerk for a tool retailer and worked as a security guard at a banquet hall, according to an obituary printed in the Tribune. His wife, who was knocked unconscious in the collision, was treated for multiple fractures and a concussion.

Massenburg, 52, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he tested positive for the active ingredient in marijuana, Roy said. In court, prosecutors identified Massenburg as a driver for the ride-sharing service and said the app was open at the time of the crash, though he had no passengers at the time.

An Uber spokesman said Massenberg was fired as soon as the company became aware of the crash.

Two witnesses also identified Massenburg as the driver of the speeding car, and red light cameras and surveillance cameras from a nearby gas station captured the crash, prosecutors said.

Massenburg was arrested Friday when he appeared for his Traffic Court hearing. He is scheduled to return to court next week.